Around Town

Library Events: Talk on Controversial 19th Century Minister; Film Brings Women from Armenia, Turkey Together

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The Rev. Mark Harris will speak about the Rev. John Weiss, a controversial minister in Watertown from the 19th Century. The Watertown Free Public Library will host a talk by the Rev. Mark Harris on a controversial 19th century minister, and a the screening of a film about women from Armenia and Turkey coming together to cook. The Watertown Library provided the following information:

John Weiss: Watertown’s Flame of Fire An Historical Lecture by Rev. Mark W. Harris

Tuesday, 6/4 | 7 pm | WATERTOWN SAVINGS BANK ROOM, WATERTOWN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Called a “flame of fire” for his dramatic and prophetic style, the Rev. John Weiss was a controversial figure in 19th century Watertown. As a young minister, he was an outspoken advocate for the abolition of slavery and resigned from Watertown’s First Parish Church because of his views. After a ministry in New Bedford, Weiss returned to Watertown and developed new religious philosophy of scientific naturalism.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Urinates, Smears Feces in Police Station Cell, Man Revving Motor Leads to OUI Arrest

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. May 13, 9 p.m.: A man was seen walking around Target and taking various items and placing them in a backpack. He tried to leave without paying. When stopped he had a flashlight, three packages of film, and an umbrella worth a total of $48.97. When they looked into the man’s record, police found that he had two outstanding warrants.

Real Estate

Two Watertown Colonials were Sold This Week

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See the two Watertown homes that were sold this week. $638,000 – 44 Charles St., 6 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$1,495,000 – 153 Russell Ave., 10 room, 4 bedroom, 3 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

Sponsored by:

Police/Fire

Budget Increase Allows Watertown Fire Department to Run Two Ambulances

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The Watertown Fire Department will now be running two ambulances in an effort to respond to the increasing number of medical calls. By adding additional staffing, the Watertown Fire Department plans to run a second ambulance, which will enable them to cover more medical calls in Watertown, and cut down the time it takes to reach someone in need of medical attention. Currently the Fire Department runs an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance, that can provided paramedic level care to patients. The WFD has a second ambulance that currently sits idle. By adding two more people to a shift, that ambulance can hit the streets with a Basic Life Support (BLS) crew.

Real Estate

More than a Dozen Open Houses Over Memorial Day Weekend

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The three-day weekend features a number of open houses in Watertown. $1,299,000 – 102 Winsor Ave., 3 unit, 15 total room, 6 total bedroom, 3 Family multi-family home, Open House: Sunday 12-2

$749,000 – 18 Wilson Ave. Unit 18, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, single-family home Open Houses: Saturday 2:30-4 Sunday 12:30-2

$929,000 – 52-54 Edgecliff Road, 2 unit, 14 total room, 6 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Sunday 12-2

$820,000 – 45-47 Edenfield Ave. Unit 47, 9 room, 4 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Tuesday 5-7

$785,000 – 45-47 Edenfield Ave. Unit 45, 9 room, 4 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse Open Houses: Saturday 12-2 Tuesday 5-7

$669,900 – 34 Desmond Ave.

Election 2020

Watertown High School Students Got Up Close and Personal with a Presidential Candidate

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Presidential candidate Wayne Messam, mayor of Mirimar, Fla., stopped by Watertown High School on Wednesday to speak with some students. On Wednesday morning, a group of Watertown High School students got to have their questions answered by someone who could become the Commander in Chief and Leader of the Free World. The WHS students took time away from their normal lessons to hear from presidential hopeful Mayor Wayne Messam. The Florida Democrat stopped by between campaigning in New Hampshire and an interview with a Boston Public Radio station. Messam shared his story of how he went from humble beginnings to being a football player at Florida State University, then started his own environmentally conscious construction company, become mayor of Mirmar, Fla., and now is running for the highest office in the land.

Transportation

MassDOT Releases Advice for Memorial Day Travelers

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) advises Memorial Day holiday travelers to plan ahead, utilize MassDOT’s “real time” travel tools to plan trips, and use public transportation if possible to reach destinations. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, Registry of Motor Vehicle customer service locations and all other Commonwealth of Massachusetts offices are closed. In addition, on Monday, the I-93 HOV lane will not be deployed, all MBTA subway, trolleys, commuter rail and buses will operate on Sunday schedules, and the MassDOT Highway Assistance Program will have extra patrols on state roads. “We traditionally see more vehicles on the roadways throughout Memorial Day weekend, so members of the public should plan their trips in advance and make smart decisions before setting out for their destinations,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  “Anyone who will be driving should consider traveling during off-peak hours, build extra time into their trips, and check MassDOT’s Go Time app or other wayfinding navigational tools to help with decisions on which roads to take and when to travel.”

Per long-standing policy, MassDOT will be shutting down scheduled roadway construction activities on Friday, May 24, at 5 a.m. Scheduled road work will then resume at the start of business on Tuesday, May 28. 

The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will have normal morning hours this week and will extend its afternoon hours on Thursday, May 23, to be open on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Friday, May 24, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. The HOV lane will not be deployed on Monday, May 27. Normal HOV lane operations will resume on Tuesday, May 28. The Sumner Tunnel Swing Lane will be open on Thursday, May 23, at 1 p.m. The Swing Lane will also be open throughout the holiday period beginning at 12 p.m., Friday, May 24, until 5 a.m., Tuesday, May 28.

Around Town

New Veterans Services Officer Hopes to Reach More Veterans, Brings in Variety of Experience

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Watertown’s new Veterans Services Officer Patrick George, left, is pictured with Bill Byrne, Commandant of the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment, and Mark Comeiro previous Watertown VSO and current Andover VSO. Watertown’s new Veterans Services Officer hopes to reach more former servicemen and women, both young and old, to make sure they are getting all the services they are entitled to for serving their country. Patrick George has been working in Watertown for just over two months, and is trying to get settled in Town Hall, and get to know local veterans groups, veterans in town and their families. He has already been busy. In May, he has already given his first budget presentation to the Town Council, helped get a memorial to a Watertown Marine killed in Vietnam approved, and will oversee the Memorial Day Parade for the first time.